Sugar Bats

There are two species of bats in this area that are called sugar bats and they are found in August in abundance here in South Eastern Arizona. The two species are the Lesser long-nosed bat and the Mexican long-tongued bat.

They will drain the hummingbird feeders at night, if left up, and are very sloppy eaters. They do pollinate cacti and agaves so their sugar splurge at the hummingbird feeder is just a side light for quick energy and a nice snack.

Out on the front patio, the bats are regular visitors to the hummingbird feeders so we decided to get some pictures.

The Lesser long-nosed bat, which is species we have in these pictures, is a relatively large bat compared with most U.S. bat species. It measures about 2.75 to 3.75 inches in total length, with about a 14 inch wingspan and can be dark gray to "sooty" brown in color and has a prominent nose leaf at the tip. Its long tongue, which we will see in later images, an adaptation for feeding on flower nectar, can be extended up to three inches.

This image gives you a better perspective on the wingspan. The red hummingbird feeder is 8 inches across. You can see the small foot resting on the feeder but they don’t really rest and eat rather lurp and slurp on the fly.

You can often see multiple bats at the feeder at one time. Again, one has a foot on the rail probably for balance while eating.

This bat has just left the feeder and is heading off into the night. You can see part of its tongue in the picture It is still licking its chops from the savory sugar water. The feeder contains the basic hummingbird recipe 4 to 1, putting a cup of water in a measuring cup and adding ¼ cup of sugar.

This is how they feed but very quickly. They are almost totally silent in their flight even as they pass close by you. The patio is fairly small and when they are in large numbers they can get rather close. We have not seen them hit each other, the walls, nor us. Fortunately, the bats are very accurate and efficient fliers.

Here are two more at the feeder. The one on the left is showing his long tongue. It is a Lesser long-nosed bat so the tongue on the Mexican long-tongued bat must really be quite long.

We hope you enjoyed the brief look at the sugar bats. If you do spend any time down here in Southern Arizona, in August, be sure and take the feeders down at night, they will certainly empty them if you do not.

Please let us know if you have any questions or comments.

All the best – George & Deanna